Page 44 of Ghost of a Chance
“Do you think your wife won’t find out what an absolutely awful piece of shit you are? How you can’t keep that limp thing you’ve got between your legs in your pants? And believe me, you should, because every time you pull it out, it’s an embarrassment. There’s not one woman in the pride who can say that you have not fondled them, leered at them, or been freaking forced to have sex with you.All part of the pride policy of keeping everybody together, which you instigated.
“I kept my mouth shut. I kept my mouth shut because Lionel had friends, he had contacts, he had support, and I believed he would be safe, because you promised me he would be, and now you have broken your word. And you know what, that’s fine. My son has found his mate and a family who are far more supportive of him than you’ll ever be. I only hope that they will accept me too, because I’ll never come back and set foot on the pride lands ever again. I won’t do that. But you better believe I am sticking around town, and I’ve got a big mouth.”
Pushing his chair back, Pennington’s face was white. “You’ve got no reason to speak to me in this manner. You’ve got no reason to talk to me about anything at all. My name had better never come out of your mouth again.”
“What are you going to do?” Lark flicked him off with both hands. “You rule the pride… for now… but you don’t rule this town. You can’t stop me from sayinganything.”
“I’ve already lost millions of dollars and I’m going to lose millions more… you shouldn’t do that… you can’t do that… keep your mouth shut!” Pennington shouted and all but ran from the office, leaving Lionel with his mouth open like an idiot.
“Mom? Did that just happen?”
“Oh, Lionel.” Lark giggled. “You have no idea how freaking glad I am to see you. I’m so proud of you.”
She came over and pulled Lionel into a hug. She was barely an inch or so shorter than Lionel, and she rested her head onhis shoulder, just like he remembered her doing before she first disappeared for her travels overseas.
“I thought I was doing the right thing,” she said softly, as if she were remembering the same thing he was. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been here for you like I should have been. Honestly, I couldn’t bear Pennington a moment longer—all those stupid rules and the lack of respect for me and the other lionesses. I just had to get away. I already knew my mate wasn’t in the pride. It was just… I just had to get away.”
“I understand,” Lionel said, hardly believing he was holding Mom close, something he had dreamed of doing more than once. “So, I guess this is why you didn’t reply to my text?”
“Who had time to write a text?” Lark shook her head. “I was booking my flight the moment I read it. I just, yeah… never mind. Future times, eh? I don’t suppose you’ve got a spare bedroom? I might need somewhere to stay for a while. I travel light, I don’t need much.”
“Actually,” Lionel said, thinking about Brad’s house just down the road from his. It’s not like Brad had been there since they got together except to grab clothes. “I might be able to offer you a house, but I’ll have to speak to Brad first.” Patting Mom’s shoulder, he stepped away, checking his computer screen and the applications he’d been reading.
“How about I shut this down? I’ll let Jasmine go home early, because this is twice now that Pennington’s upset her. I’ll close up for the day, and I’ll take you to the best café bakery in town, which just happens to be where my mate is working on a renovation contract right now. We can grab something for lunch.” He checked the time. “Late lunch and you can meet Brad if he’s not busy, and then maybe later we can all go out for dinner. What do you think? I’m really glad you’re home, Mom.”
“I’m really glad I came home, too,” Lark said, pulling a tissue from her jeans and dabbing her eye. “Now don’t have me getting mushy. That’s not my way. Some things haven’t changed.”
“I know.” Lionel grinned. “I know, and I’m glad. You’re gonna love Brad, Mom. He’s the best.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Brad
There was something stuck to the bottom of his work boots, but Brad didn’t think too hard about what it could be. He scrubbed at his hands for what felt like the fifteenth time after he’d assisted—alright, delivered Morty’s baby.
Hector sat on the floor, weeping, rocking his daughter wrapped in a fresh towel while Morty lay back in the tub, eyes shut, with a sappy grin on his face.
Once the pants were off, everything had happened very quickly, and it meant Brad had no time to think about what he was touching or how Morty’s body adapted to have the child.
Yes, pregnancy, though in principle, was great once the baby arrived, point in reference, the cuteness that Hector was cuddling. Not so much was the body having to spit the thing out. Brad was quite sure that he was not ready for that… not in this century!
Hands washed, he glanced about for another towel only to find them all in use or dirty. He eyed his grubby jeans and rubbed his fingers down the sides of his legs. He’d need a long soak when he got home and to burn his clothes. There was no way they’d get the weird birthing smell off them.
“What… holy shit,” Lionel blustered, eyes wide when Brad turned to face him.
“Surprise, your mate is also a birthing partner.” He aimed for humor, but he wasn’t quite sure he achieved it or that Lionel noticed. His gaze focused on his friend, who sniffed and held up the tiny bundle.
“Look at how beautiful my daughter is.”
“Ours,” Morty murmured. “You didn’t have to push her out into the world. You got to do the fun part, let’s not forget.” He tapped at his still swollen belly.
“Ours,” Hector rectified, giving Morty a sheepish grin. “You were amazing my love.”
“If you count screeching at the top of his lungs amazing,” Toby muttered, sitting on the titled floor on the other side of the tub, looking poleaxed.
“Hey, I wasn’t that bad,” Morty snickered.
Brad kept quiet, using Lionel as an excuse. “How did you find out?”
